Research and analysis

Employment and Support Allowance trials 2015

These reports evaluate the Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) additional support trials which took place in 2015.

From:
Department for Work and Pensions
Published
2 August 2017

Documents

The 2015 ESA trials: a synthesis

Ref: ISBN: 978 1 78425 927 3, Ad hoc research report no. 49

PDF, 803 KB, 99 pages

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The 2015 ESA trials: a synthesis of qualitative research with work coaches

Ref: ISBN: 978 1 78425 928 0, Ad hoc research report no. 50

PDF, 611 KB, 76 pages

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The 2015 ESA trials: a synthesis of qualitative research with claimants

Ref: ISBN: 978 1 911003 53 3, RR933

PDF, 3.21 MB, 123 pages

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Summary: The 2015 ESA trials: a synthesis of qualitative research with claimants

PDF, 287 KB, 4 pages

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Details

These reports evaluate trials of 3 forms of additional support for ESA claimants. The additional support included:

  • voluntary early intervention
  • the Claimant Commitment
  • more intensive support

The additional support aimed to help claimants progress towards the labour market. The trials were launched in spring 2015 as part of a wider package of ESA reforms.

To fulfil a commitment to evaluate the support offered in the trials, we carried out:

  • quantitative analysis of the trial interventions and their impacts
  • qualitative research with work coaches and claimants

The research and analysis helps us to understand:

  • whether the trials helped claimants move into work
  • what aspects of the trials were most effective, and for whom
  • the nature of the support
  • staff and claimant experiences of, and perspectives on, the trials
  • intermediate outcomes for claimants such as changes to attitude, self-efficacy, motivation and behaviours towards jobseeking
  • the level of demand for health-related advice and physiotherapy services

The research and analysis supports our strategic objectives of increasing disability employment and tailoring support in a more integrated and personalised manner.

Authors

The 2015 ESA trials: a synthesis

Martin Moran (Department for Work and Pensions (DWP))

The 2015 ESA trials: a synthesis of qualitative research with work coaches

Clare Lyne, Morgan Draper and Jo Whateley (DWP)

The 2015 ESA trials: a synthesis of qualitative research with claimants

Becci Newton (Institute for Employment Studies) and Roy Sainsbury (Social Policy Research Unit, University of York)

Published 2 August 2017

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